1. Rule. With the consent of the parties, rule is made returnable forthwith and the writ petition is taken up for final disposal.
2. This writ petition challenges the imposition of penalty and charge of royalty by revenue officials of the State of Maharashtra, under Section 48(7) of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966 ("MLRC"), in connection with the alleged unauthorized excavation of earth during implementing a sewerage pipeline network in Thane. For the reasons Page 2 of 23 March 28, 2024 Ashwini Vallakati/Shraddha ::: Uploaded on - 28/03/2024 ::: Downloaded on - 29/03/2024 14:12:01 ::: ASWP-13593-2016.doc set out in this judgment, we have no hesitation in allowing the writ petition.